Daily wage labourers in Kerala’s Kannur district unearthed gold and silver hoards while digging a one-metre deep pit to collect rainwater.
The women digging a pit at a rubber plantation near Parippayi government upper primary school, found 17 pearl beads, 13 gold lockets, four medallions (likely part of a cashew necklace), five ancient rings, a set of earrings and several silver coins.
Feared it to be a landmine, the workers immediately informed the police about the findings. Sub Inspector MV Sheeju’s team took custody of the valuables and later on Friday produced them in court.
The court directed the Department of Archaeology to inspect the findings to determine the age and origins of the valuables unearthed.
The preliminary assessments suggested that the artefacts are very old.
Further inspections are underway.
Earlier this year, in February, villagers in Gujarat’s Kutch district recently stumbled upon traces of an ancient civilisation from the Harappan-era while digging in search of gold. The find, reminiscent of the famed Harappan era, has sparked awe among archaeologists and locals alike.
The discovery was made in Lodrani village, located approximately 50 kilometres from the renowned Dholavira World Heritage Site of the Harappan era.
Instead of gold, villagers unearthed the remnants of a fortified settlement, bearing striking resemblance to the Harappan civilisation of Dholavira.